Giants' Bonds Joins Select Group

Published 9:00 pm, Friday, August 9, 2002

Now that he's hit No. 600, the biggest home-run countdown of all begins for Barry Bonds.

Bonds made the math real easy Friday night. After becoming the fourth player to reach 600 homers, he needs 156 more to break Hank Aaron's career record.

Next up on the homer chart is his godfather, Willie Mays, at 660. Then it's on to Babe Ruth at 714.

"To be in that select group is great, but nothing's more satisfying than doing it in front of 40,000 friends here in San Francisco," Bonds said. "I don't think that it could ever be more gratifying than that."

Bonds launched a 421-foot solo shot to center field at Pacific Bell Park in the Giants' 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

The 38-year-old star stepped softly on home plate and pointed up with his both hands. He waved to his wife and daughter and pointed to his father, Bobby Bonds, who had surgery last month to remove a cancerous tumor from his kidney.

Mays had a prior commitment and was not in the sellout crowd.

Fireworks flew, the sellout crowd cheered and an emblem signifying his achievement was unveiled on the left-field wall.

Bonds hit his milestone homer off Kip Wells. Bonds had a chance to put the Giants ahead in the eighth, but he grounded out to second baseman Pokey Reese on the grass in short right field to end the inning with two runners on.

"I mean it's sweet, it's nice, I can't sit there and say that it isn't a great moment in my career because, definitely it is," Bonds said. "We want to win bad. We're playing good and we just ran against the wall right here."

Among those cheering for Bonds was 36-year-old Jay Arsenault of Vacaville, Calif. He emerged from a pileup in the bleachers with the souvenir ball and a bloody face.

"I knew it was gone when I hit it. I was just hoping no one got hurt when they go for it," Bonds said. "I was just praying no one got hurt fighting for it."

Arsenault, a construction worker, had cuts on his left cheek, arms, legs and hand. He also had a big smile and plans for his prize.

"Money talks," he said.

Reds 12, Padres 10

Aaron Boone hit three homers, connecting twice during a nine-run first inning, and Cincinnati won at home.

After an early pair of two-run shots, Boone hit a solo homer in the fourth. He struck out and had an infield single in his final two at-bats.

Earlier this season, Boone's brother, Bret, homered twice in the first inning for Seattle. Bret Boone has two three-homer games in his career.

San Diego set a team record for most runs allowed in the first inning.

Expos 11, Brewers 4

Vladimir Guerrero hit his 200th career home run and Montreal won at Milwaukee.

Guerrero matched Ken Griffey Jr. as the second-youngest active player to reach 200 homers _ they both did it at 26 years, 182 days. Alex Rodriguez was 25 years, 290 days when he did it.

Guerrero hit his 30th homer of the season. Jose Macias homered and drove in a career-high five runs, helping Bartolo Colon won for the fifth time in six decisions.

The NL Central leaders lost for the eighth time in nine games. The Cardinals have been outscored 50-20 during their skid.

New York scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning on reliever Mike Matthews' wild pickoff throw and wild pitch.

Rockies 2, Cubs 0

Denny Neagle pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, and Colorado won its fourth in a row. At 2 hours, 19 minutes, the game was the fastest of the season at Coors Field.

The result also matched the Coors record for fewest runs in a game, set in Atlanta's 2-0 win in 1995. The Rockies have played one 1-0 game at home in their history, a rain-shortened victory at Mile High Stadium against Atlanta in 1994.

Neagle walked one and struck out a season-high eight.

Braves 6, Astros 5, 13 innings

Stumbling shortstop Rafael Furcal threw out Craig Biggio at the plate to end the game at Houston.

After Gary Sheffield homered for Atlanta in the top of the 13th, the Astros almost tied it.

Biggio singled with two outs against John Smoltz, and Orlando Merced doubled. Left fielder Wes Helms threw to Furcal, who landed awkwardly as he caught the ball. But Furcal steadied himself just enough to throw on the fly to catcher Henry Blanco.

Astros closer Billy Wagner blew a three-run lead in the ninth.

Diamondbacks 2, Marlins 1

Erubiel Durazo hit his second home run of the game, a two-out shot in the ninth inning at Bank One Ballpark.

Durazo has 13 homers in 131 at-bats this season. Arizona won for the 14th time in 18 games.

Florida tied it in the ninth on Derrek Lee's RBI single with two outs off Byung-Hyun Kim. The Diamondbacks closer has blown five of 33 save chances.

Dodgers 7, Phillies 6

Mark Grudzielanek hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and Los Angeles won its third in a row.

Marquis Grissom homered twice at Dodger Stadium and Shawn Green connected in his third straight game.